I don't think it's just retired lawyers. My uncle is a JP and hes a ferry captain. But he did have to so some kind of ceremony at the courts. I think he did it

I don't think it's just retired lawyers. My uncle is a JP and hes a ferry captain. But he did have to so some kind of ceremony at the courts. I think he did it in order to be the family marriage celebrant and whatnot. Some JPs take payment in the form of a box of beer or some small thing like that.